Newcastle United's new signing Jermaine Jenas breezed through training this week - and put himself firmly in the picture for the visit of Southampton tomorrow.

The &#xA3;5 million signing has had three days of full training - and the 18-year-old has certainly impressed Bobby Robson.

Jenas signed on Monday and could cap a whirlwind few days by making the bench, or even starting, against Gordon Strachan's side, with Kieron Dyer out injured.

"Jermaine's had three days training and he's settled in well," said Robson. "He's looked like the class player we know he is. I'd have no hesitation in putting him in."

Jenas has been a regular in the Nottingham Forest side this season and has even captained the First Division team.

Robson expects defender Nicos Dabizas to shrug off a bout of sickness and line up against Southampton.

And he also welcomes back Robbie Elliott, who could return in the left-back berth but central defender Andy O'Brien is a doubt with a back problem.

But apart from Kieron Dyer, out for several weeks with a stress fracture in his foot, and Carl Cort, Robson has a full squad to

choose from.

"We've got a clean bill of health with nothing untoward after Saturday," said Robson.

"Nicos was a little bit sick and did not train earlier in the week but the doctor says it is nothing serious."

Robson gave his players Sunday and Monday off after their hard-fought 3-2 victory over Bolton last Saturday.

He said: "They needed a bit of a break because on Saturday they were whacked - they had three hard games in seven days.

"They travelled to Peterborough and Spurs and then had a tough game with Bolton. It says a lot about their fitness levels that they came through that."

Elliott came off against Spurs with a muscle problem and Sylvain Distin filled in for him against Bolton but Elliott has been back in training this week.

"Robbie is much better. I left him out last Saturday because he had a muscle problem but he's in a better condition now," said Robson.

Robson's other dilemma is who to pair Gary Speed with in central midfield, with reserve schemer Jamie McClen having impressed in the last three games and Jenas and Chilean international Clarence Acuna vying for inclusion.

Lomana Lua Lua also comes into the frame after returning from the African Nations Cup, at which he helped the Dominican Republic of Congo reach the quarter-finals.

But one player who is not in contention for tomorrow's game is Cort, who made his comeback for the reserves this week.

Cort, out since August with knee ligament damage, played 56

minutes in Monday night's 4-1 defeat against Middlesbrough at Kingston Park and suffered no reaction.

Robson said: "Carl came through Monday night and did a full day's training the next day as well.

"All the reserves came in on Tuesday. We didn't given them a day off after they were beaten by Middlesbrough.

"Carl came in and did very well. He has been as keen as mustard and excited to be back but tomorrow will be too soon for him."

Cort will instead feature again for the second string this coming Monday, when Tommy Craig's side take on derby rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.